Official says human waste on Mt. Everest a major problem

KATHMANDU,
Nepal (AP) - Human waste left by climbers on Mount Everest has become a
problem that is causing pollution and threatening to spread disease on
the world's highest peak, the chief of Nepal's mountaineering
association said Tuesday.

The more than 700 climbers and guides
who spend nearly two months on Everest's slopes each climbing season
leave large amounts of feces and urine, and the issue has not been
addressed, Ang Tshering told reporters. He said Nepal's government needs
to get the climbers to dispose of the waste properly so the mountain
remains pristine.

Hundreds of
foreign climbers attempt to scale Everest during Nepal's mountaineering
season, which began this week and runs through May. Last year's season
was canceled after 16 local guides were killed in an avalanche in April.

Climbers spend weeks acclimatizing around the four camps set up between
the base camp at 5,300 meters (17,380 feet) and the 8,850-meter-high
(29,035-foot-high) summit. The camps have tents and some essential
equipment and supplies, but do not have toilets.

"Climbers usually dig holes in the snow for their toilet use and leave
the human waste there," Tshering said, adding that the waste has been
"piling up" for years around the four camps.
At the base camp, where there are more porters, cooks and support staff
during the climbing season, there are toilet tents with drums to store
the waste. Once filled, the drums are carried to a lower area, where the
waste is properly disposed.

Dawa Steven Sherpa, who has been
leading Everest cleanup expeditions since 2008, said some climbers carry
disposable travel toilet bags to use in the higher camps.

"It is a health hazard and the issue needs to be addressed," he said.
Nepal's government has not come up with a plan yet to tackle the issue
of human waste. But starting this season, officials stationed at the
base camp will strictly monitor garbage on the mountain, said Puspa Raj
Katuwal, the head of the government's Mountaineering Department.

The government imposed new rules last year requiring each climber to
bring down to the base camp 8 kilograms (18 pounds) of trash - the
amount it estimates a climber discards along the route. Climbing teams must leave a $4,000 deposit that they lose if they don't comply with the regulations, Katuwal said.

More than 4,000 climbers have scaled Mount Everest since 1953, when it
was first conquered by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa
guide, Tenzing Norgay. Hundreds of others have died in the attempt,
while many have succeeded only with help from oxygen tanks, equipment
porters and Sherpa guides.

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About Me

Charles G. Irion is the award-winning author and founder of Irion Books LLC which includes Remodeling Hell, Autograph Hell, Car Dealer Hell and Divorce Hell. In addition, Charles has authored a series of murder mystery novels set against the backdrop of the Seven Summits; they are Murder on Everest, prequel Abandoned on Everest, Murder on Elbrus, Murder on Mt. McKinley, Murder on Puncak Jaya, Murder on Aconcagua, Murder on Vinson Massif and Murder on Kilimanjaro.

A successful investor and businessman, Irion is the founder of U. S. Park Investments, a company that owns and brokers manufactured home and RV communities. In addition, Charles released Roadkill Cooking for Campers - The Best Dang Wild Game Cookbook in the World.